Thurles, Co. Tipperary’s Racecourse To Reopen for October Fixtures After Reprieve
Thurles Racecourse will reopen on Thursday, October 9th, after receiving a last-minute reprieve that will see it host all 11 of its scheduled fixtures through to March 2026.
The Co Tipperary track, regarded as one of Ireland’s most historic National Hunt venues, had shocked the racing community on August 1st when its owners, the Molony family, announced it was closing with immediate effect.
Following urgent talks, Horse Racing Ireland (HRI) has now agreed to take over the running of the racecourse until the end of the current fixture list. The arrangement is intended to give all parties time to draw up a longer-term plan for the future of the venue.
In a joint statement, HRI and Thurles Race Company said: “Following a positive meeting yesterday afternoon between Horse Racing Ireland and the Molony family, Thurles Race Company will facilitate the continuation of horse racing at Thurles Racecourse until March 2026, with operational responsibility passing to Horse Racing Ireland.”
The statement added that the agreement was made possible with the support of the Association of Irish Racecourses, the Irish Horseracing Regulatory Board, and the wider industry.
The October reopening will be welcomed by racing fans, with Thurles long regarded as a favourite testing ground for Ireland’s top jump trainers and a regular stepping stone for horses destined for Cheltenham and beyond.
VERY GOOD NEWS